Strawberry plant named &#39;Sweet Eve&#39;

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to a new and distinctive day-neutral cultivar, designated as ‘Sweet Eve’, primarily adapted to the growing conditions in the United Kingdom. This day-neutral (everbearing) cultivar is primarily characterized by an upright growth habit, a medium to large fruit size having superior uniformity, primarily long conical shaped berries exhibiting a glossy bright orange-red appearance, significantly better flavored, aromatic berries, significantly firmer fruit skin, increased numbers of flower trusses and fruit trusses per plant, very moderate petiole pubescence, and an early to mid season production with substantial yields.

PRIORITY CLAIM

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(f) of application number 2008/0368 filed on 18 Feb. 2008 at the European Community Plant Variety Office (CPVO).

GENUS AND SPECIES

Fragaria×ananassa Duch.

CULTIVAR DENOMINATION

‘Sweet Eve’

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new and distinct cultivar of strawberry originated from a controlled cross performed in a glasshouse as part of an ongoing breeding program belonging to Edward Vinson Limited at Kemsdale Farm, in Kent, United Kingdom between the agricultural selections 01BB64 (not patented) and S01R5 (not patented) in 2003.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct day-neutral (everbearing) strawberry cultivar designated as “Sweet Eve.’ The cultivar is botanically known as Fragaria×ananassa Duch. Under growing conditions in the United Kingdom this day-neutral (everbearing) cultivar has shown significant improvements over the variety ‘Albion’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 16,228). Improvements include, but are not limited to, improved fruit quality, significantly greater Brix levels, superior eating quality, aroma, skin firmness, enhanced shelf life, and paler fruit color.

The female parent, 01 BB64, is a day-neutral cultivar cropping in the United Kingdom in July August, and September. 01BB64 exhibits a moderate crop that is below standards generally accepted for commercialization. Additionally, the shape and size of 01BB64 fruit is highly variable and also below standards generally accepted for commercialization. 01BB64 does, however, express fruit having exceptional flavor and high fragrance. The fruit firmness of 01BB64 is extremely soft and the fruit is pale in color. 01BB64 was selected as a parent for the flavor characteristics expressed. There are no other characteristics which would render 01BB64 commercially viable.

The male parent, S01R5, is a Mediterranean short day cultivar that was selected in Spain. S015 crops from March until the end of May when grown in Spain. S01R5 was selected as a parent because the cultivar expresses an extraordinary combination of firmness and flavor. S01R5 exhibits a fruit firmness greater than that found in typical commercialized strawberry varieties while additionally expressing high sugars, high aroma and exceptional flavor. Despite the exceptional eating qualities of the fruit of this cultivar, S01R5 has a fruit size below standards generally accepted for commercialization. Furthermore, S015 fruit has an appearance below commercial expectation. Specifically, S01R5 fruit is pointed, ridged, and dark in color. S01R5 does generate a good yield as it relates to fruit number, however, the small fruit size and the high number of culls make the marketable yield of this cultivar low when considered for commercialization purposes.

The female parent, 01BB64, is a hybrid of Fragaria×ananassa Duch and the male parent, S01R5, was derived from an open pollinated seed of an unknown cultivar of Fragaria×ananassa Duch. The female parental cultivar, 01BB64, was selected in 2001 in a breeding field located at Meadow Bank at Kemsdale Farm, Kent United Kingdom. The male parental cultivar, S015, was selected in 2001 in the Edward Vinson Limited Mediterranean breeding field located in Cartaya, Spain. Accordingly, the cultivar ‘Sweet Eve’ is of the species Fragaria×ananassa Duch.

The seedling fruited in the summer of 2004 at the seedling field located at Meadow Bank, Kemsdale Farm, in Kent, United Kingdom was originally designated 04AA22, and subsequently named ‘Sweet Eve’ for introduction. 04AA22 was selected because the cultivar produced a high yield of extremely high quality and good sized fruit. Additionally, the cultivar exhibited a firmness, shape, and flavor of outstanding quality.

‘Sweet Eve’ was trialed in trial plots at Kemsdale Farm during the years 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008. During the period of trials ‘Sweet Eve’ was reproduced asexually for four (4) successive years. For each trial year, asexual propagation of ‘Sweet Eve’ was by means of stolons (runners) and took place at the glasshouse facility as part located at Kemsdale Farm, in Kent, United Kingdom. Additionally, during the year 2007, however, a limited number of ‘Sweet Eve’ plants were reproduced asexually by stolons at a propagation facility belonging to Edward Vinson Limited, located at Sandbanks Farm, in Kent, United Kingdom. In all four (4) generations, plants were observed for trueness to type during the fruiting phase with no abnormalities being observed. Further propagation, at nurseries belonging to Edward Vinson Limited, located at Faversham and Deal in Kent and Southampton in Hampshire, United Kingdom, was completed on a larger scale in 2008 using tissue culture plants as mother plants. This propagation demonstrated no obvious abnormalities in these plants. All propagules of ‘Sweet Eve’ have been observed to be true to type in that during all asexual multiplication, the vegetative and fruit characteristics of the original plant have been maintained.

The new cultivar is primarily adapted to the climate and growing conditions of south eastern England and other regions of similar climate and day length. These regions provide the necessary winter temperatures required for it to produce a strong vigorous plant and to produce fruit in the summer harvest season from June through September, depending on location.

-   -   The following list of traits, in combination, defines the new         cultivar as a unique cultivar distinguishable from other         commercial varieties in the region:     -   upright and dense growth habit;     -   medium to large fruit size having superior uniformity;     -   primarily long conical berries exhibiting a glossy bright         orange-red appearance;     -   significantly better flavored berries with very strong aroma;     -   significantly firmer fruit skin and flesh;     -   increased numbers of flower trusses and fruit trusses per plant         increase total yield per plant;     -   very moderate petiole pubescence; and     -   mid season production with substantial yields.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying color photographs show typical specimens of the new cultivar, designated at various stages of development as nearly true as is possible to make in color reproductions. The depicted plant and plant parts were from the 2008 harvest season, approximately five (5) months after planting.

FIG. 1 Typical fully developed primary fruit, measured in length (cm).

FIG. 2 Typical fully developed primary fruit, measured in width (cm).

FIG. 3 Typical primary fruit and typical primary flowers.

FIG. 4 Typical fruiting truss.

FIG. 5 A selection of large primary fruits (outer circle) having a long conical shape, secondary fruits (middle circle) having a conical shape, and tertiary fruits (inner circle) having a rounded conical shape.

FIG. 6 ‘Sweet Eve’ fruit skin color identified using The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart (34 A).

FIG. 7 Typical ‘Sweet Eve’ fruit interior flesh coloration near the outside fruit surface identified using The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart (32 A).

FIG. 8 Typical ‘Sweet Eve’ fruit inner core coloration identified using The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart (33 C).

FIG. 9 A ‘Sweet Eve’ flower with visible corolla (petals, stamens, and ovary).

FIG. 10 A typical mature leaf with attached petiole and leafy stipule at the base of the petiole, measured in length and having slightly pointed to slightly rounded serrations and channel-like venations.

FIG. 11 Upper leaf surface color identification of a fully expanded ‘Sweet Eve’ leaf using The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart (147A).

FIG. 12 Lower leaf surface color identification of a fully expanded ‘Sweet Eve’ leaf using The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart ( 138B).

FIG. 13 Petiole color identification using The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart (144B).

FIG. 14 Photo of a cropping ‘Sweet Eve’ plant in mid-summer showing the typical upwards curving leaflets, with leaves, flowers, and fruits visible at various developmental stages.

FIG. 15 Photo of a cropping ‘Sweet Eve’ plant in late summer showing the typical upwards curving leaflets, with leaves, flowers, and fruits visible at various developmental stages.

FIG. 16 Close shot of a typical mature ‘Sweet Eve’ primary fruit with fruits of different developmental stages are visible in the background.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF NEW CULTIVAR

The following description of ‘Sweet Eve’, unless otherwise noted, is based on observations taken of plants and fruits grown in a trials field covered with tunnels and polyethylene covers as part of an ongoing breeding program at Kemsdale Farm, in Kent, United Kingdom.

The following description is in accordance with UPOV terminology and the color terminology used herein is in accordance with The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart. The color descriptions and other phenotypical descriptions may deviate from the stated values and descriptions depending upon variation in environmental, seasonal, climatic, and cultural conditions.

Propagation

The new variety is principally propagated by way of stolons. Although propagation by stolons is presently preferred, other known methods of propagating strawberry plants may be used. Strawberry plants root well following transplanting.

Comparative Fruit Characteristics

The fruit characteristics of ‘Sweet Eve’ include, but are not limited to, the characteristics of the fruit itself, the fruit production, and the fruit quality. Fruit characteristics for ‘Sweet Eve’ were observed over four (4) seasons and the data was taken from the 2008 harvest season.

Table 1

Table 1 shows the average fruit yield and size of ‘Sweet Eve’ from measurements taken during the year 2008 when subjected to the environmental and growing conditions as they existed in the United Kingdom at that time. The measurements of ‘Albion’ were taken in the United States and cannot reflect the average total yields or primary berry weights of ‘Albion’ as they might exist under the same environmental or growing conditions that ‘Sweet Eve’ was subjected to when grown in the United Kingdom.

In 2008 fruit harvest started on 16 June and continued through September. The plants of ‘Sweet Eve’ were grown in a nursery at Kemsdale Farm, in Kent, United Kingdom and planted in March 2008.

Cultivar Average (Average total yield in grams per plant) ‘Sweet Eve’ 1,572 ‘Albion’ 2,417 (Primary berry weight in grams) ‘Sweet Eve’ 28.0 ‘Albion’ 33.0

Table 2

Table 2 compares the fruit characteristics of ‘Sweet Eve’ berries with another standard variety. Measurements provided were taken from fully mature (ripe) primary fruits. Fruit width is measured across the widest part of the berry, typically, across the shoulders of the berry.

Characteristic ‘Sweet Eve’ ‘Albion’ Exterior Color Orange-Red 34A 5R 3/7 (RHS) (Munsell) Internal Color Orange-Red 32A 7.5R 4/11 (RHS) (Munsell) Achene Color Yellow 3A 7.5R 3/6 (RHS) (Munsell) Mature Fruit Length 44.2 60.6 Mean (mm) Mature Fruit Width 38 49.7 Mean (mm) Mature Fruit Length/ 1.16 1.2 Width Ratio Achenes per Primary 381.43/primary 440.8/primary Berry berry berry Achene Position Even to indented Mostly indented, some even

Table 3

Table 3 compares the fruit quality characteristics of ‘Sweet Eve’ with the fruit quality characteristics of ‘Albion.’ Comparisons of fruit quality include, but are not limited to, flesh firmness, soluble solids (as measured by % Brix), and acidity.

Characteristic ‘Sweet Eve’ ‘Albion’ Fruit Skin Firmness Very firm Firm to very firm Flesh Firmness Medium firm to firm Firmer internal texture Fruit Appearance  5.0 4.0 Fruit Aroma Very strong aroma Medium aroma Fruit Sweetness High sugars, strong Medium sweetness sweetness Soluble Solids 11.1 8.5 Acidity Very low acidity Medium acidity

-   Detailed fruit characteristics of ‘sweet eve’:     -   -   Ratio of length to width.—Longer than broad.         -   Size.—Medium to large.         -   Predominant shape.—Long conical shape with rounded             shoulders.         -   Aroma.—Very strong.         -   Differences in shape between primary and secondary             fruit.—Slight.         -   Differences in shape between primary and tertiary             fruit.—Slight.         -   Band without achenes.—Narrow to medium width.         -   Color of mature fruit (ripe).—Bright orange-red (Orange-Red             34A).         -   Evenness of color.—Very even.         -   Glossiness.—Very high.         -   Achene position.—Even to slightly indented.         -   Attitude of the calyx segments.—Typically recurved.         -   Color of the upper (adaxial) surface of the calyx.—Green             (Green 138A).         -   Color of the lower (abaxial) surface of the calyx.—Green             (Green 141A).         -   Size of calyx in relation to fruit diameter.—Generally             smaller.         -   Firmness of skin.—Very firm.         -   Firmness of flesh.—Moderate firmness.         -   Color of flesh.—Interior flesh coloration near the outside             edges of the fruit surface approaches bright orange-red             (Orange-Red 32A) and the inner core approaches red             (Orange-Red 33C).         -   Hollow center.—Weakly expressed in primary fruit and not             expressed in secondary and tertiary fruit.         -   Achene color.—Generally bright yellow (Yellow 3A), however,             when fully exposed to light, achenes are orange-red             (Orange-Red 33B) in color.         -   Time of flowering (50% of plants at first flower).—Medium to             early.         -   Time of ripening (50% of plants with first ripe             fruit).—Medium to early.         -   Type of bearing.—Day-neutral (everbearing). -   Comparative plant characteristics:

Table 4

Table 4 is a comparison of the plant characteristics of ‘Sweet Eve’ with the plant characteristics of ‘Albion’ when the varieties were grown side-by side in Kent, United Kingdom. Comparisons of plant characteristics include differences in plant height, width, and breadth.

Characteristic ‘Sweet Eve’ ‘Albion’ Plant Height Mean (mm) 350 252 Plant Width Mean (mm) 430 388 Plant Breadth Mean (mm) 450 370

-   Detailed plant characteristics of ‘sweet eve’:     -   -   Size.—Medium to large.         -   Habit.—Upright and slightly compact with dense canopy. -   Comparative foliage characteristics:

Table 5

Table 5 compares the leaf characteristics of ‘Sweet Eve’ with the leaf characteristics of ‘Albion.’ Foliage characteristics are taken from a fully mature tri-foliate leaf during mid-season.

Characteristic ‘Sweet Eve’ ‘Albion’ Adaxial Surface Color Yellow-Green 147A 5GY 3/2 (RHS) Munsell) Abaxial Surface Color Green 138B 5GY 5/6 (RHS) (Munsell) Mid-tier Leaflet Length 97 73 Mean (mm) Mid-tier Leaflet Width 96 68 Mean (mm) Petiole Length Mean (mm) 215 105 Petiole Diameter (mm) 4 4.1 Petiole Color Yellow-Green 144B 5GY 7/10 (RHS) (Munsell) Petiolule Length Mean 14 7.4 (mm) Stipule Length Mean (mm) 25 23.3 Stipule Color Green 143C 5GY 6/8 (RHS) (Munsell) Serrations per Leaf 17.74 71.8 Number of Leaflets/Leaf 3 3 Leaf Convexity Most concave Some flat, most slightly concave

-   Detailed foliage characteristics of ‘sweet eve’:     -   -   Color of adaxial surface.—Yellow green (Green 147A).         -   Color of abaxial surface.—Light green to nearly gray green             (Green 138B).         -   Shape in cross section.—Slightly to moderately concave.         -   Blistering.—Slight to strong on the mid-tier leaflet.         -   Number of leaflets/leaf.—Three.         -   Mid-tier leaflet.—Size — Medium. Length/width ratio — Almost             as wide as long. Shape of base — Obtuse. Shape of serrations             — Slightly pointed to slightly rounded. Venation of leaflets             — Pinnate.         -   Petiole.—Pubescence density — Slight. Petiole color — Medium             to light green (Yellow-Green 144B). Stipule color — Medium             to light green (Green 143C). Anthocyanin coloration of             stipules — Very weak.         -   Attitude of hairs.—Hairs are perpendicular to the petiole.             Size of bract leaflets — Small to medium. Frequency of bract             leaflets — Bract leaflets are present on approximately 80%             of flower trusses. -   Comparative flower and inflorescence characteristics:

Table 6

Table 6 compares the inflorescence and secondary flower characteristics of ‘Sweet Eve’ with the inflorescence and secondary flower characteristics of ‘Albion.’. Inflorescence characteristics are taken from a fully mature plant during full bloom. Flower characteristics are taken from a primary flower at full maturity.

Characteristic ‘Sweet Eve’ ‘Albion’ Fruiting Truss Length Mean (mm) 183.8 170 Corolla Diameter Mean (mm) 40 27.0 Calyx Diameter Mean (mm) 36 35.8 Petal Length Mean (mm) 13 12.7 Petal Width Mean (mm) 14.5 12.6 Petal Length/Width Ratio 0.89 1.01 Petals per Flower Mean 5-6 5-8

-   Detailed inflorescence characteristics of ‘sweet eve’:     -   -   Position relative to foliage.—Some internal, mostly even and             some exposed.         -   Fruiting truss length.—Medium. -   Detailed flower characteristics of ‘sweet eve’:     -   -   Color.—White.         -   Size.—Medium to large.         -   Size of calyx relative to corolla.—Smaller.         -   Petal length to width ratio.—Wider than long.         -   Petal shape.—Nearly round having an obtuse base and apex,             slightly overlapping.         -   Petal margins.—Entire. -   Pest reactions: The plants of ‘Sweet Eve’ exhibit some tolerance to     Powdery Mildew (Podosphaera leucotricha). The susceptibility of the     new cultivar to any of the virus complexes of the United Kingdom has     not been determined.

COMPARISON WITH KNOWN VARIETIES

The variety which is believed to be most closely resemble ‘Sweet Eve’ is ‘Albion’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 16,228). When compared to similar cultivar ‘Albion’, ‘Sweet Eve’ differs by the following characteristics.

‘Sweet Eve’ is a typical day-neutral strawberry cultivar, being stronger in expressing this character than ‘Albion’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 16,228) under United Kingdom growing conditions. The production pattern for ‘Sweet Eve’, when grown in the United Kingdom, is significantly earlier in the season than that of ‘Albion’ to reach peak fruiting.

When compared to ‘Albion under United Kingdom growing conditions, ‘Sweet Eve’ has a fruit shape and uniformity of shape superior to that of ‘Albion’, a fruit skin significantly firmer but juicier and paler in color than that of ‘Albion’, an increased numbers of flower trusses and fruit trusses per plant than that of ‘Albion’, a significantly higher yield than that of ‘Albion’, and a recurved calyx position relative to the fruit leaving a visible white band at the top of the ‘Sweet Eve’ fruit. Further, the fruit of ‘Sweet Eve’ is significantly better flavored and far sweeter than that of ‘Albion’ with ‘Sweet Eve’ having Brix levels averaging 11.1% for fifteen (15) consecutive weeks. Finally, ‘Sweet Eve’ possesses a refreshing pleasant aroma not found in the ‘Albion’ cultivar.

‘Sweet Eve’ plants exhibit a slightly more compact growth habit than that of ‘Albion’ and when it is grown in the United Kingdom, the plant size is significantly greater than ‘Albion’. While ‘Sweet Eve’ plants are similar in height to ‘Albion’, ‘Sweet Eve’ plants produce more crown numbers per plant and a greater volume of leaves than ‘Albion.’ The leaf size of ‘Sweet Eve’ is medium, but larger than that of ‘Albion’, and the leaflets are generally round and almost as wide as long.

The petiole and petiolule lengths of ‘Sweet Eve’ are greater than that of ‘Albion’, and the petiole pubescence density of ‘Sweet Eve’ is significantly less when compared to ‘Albion’, which has very heavy pubescence. Some hair is present on ‘Sweet Eve’ at the base of the petiole and close to the stipules. The petiolule pubescence of ‘Sweet Eve’ is moderate, but still significantly less than that of ‘Albion’.

The leaflets of ‘Sweet Eve’ typically possess a slightly round (obtuse) base and tip; however, the leaflets are not symmetrical. In fact, the leaflets of ‘Sweet Eve’ express a very distinctive architecture wherein the distance from the petiolule to the first serration is significantly longer on one side compared to the other (approximately 20%). The serrations express a slightly pointed to slightly rounded tips with the leaflets of ‘Sweet Eve’ plants possessing a significantly smaller number of serrations per leaf than that of ‘Albion’. The most outstanding characteristic of the leaves of ‘Sweet Eve’ are the upwards curving leaflets. Many leaflets of ‘Sweet Eve’ exhibit slight to strong puckering/blistering, a feature that is visible on both sides particularly on the mid-tier leaflets. ‘Sweet Eve’ flower trusses tend to grow within the foliage and do not stand out of the leaf canopy. Instead, flowers tend to open at the canopy level, however, when loaded with fruit, the flower trusses tend to protrude to the sides of the plant between the leaves rather than expressing a totally upwards direction. The presence of a bract can be seen on 80% of the flower trusses from early developmental stage, which progresses into a typical leaflet as the truss matures and fruit develops. Generally there are more trusses per plant and more flowers and fruit per truss than that of ‘Albion.’

The flowers of ‘Sweet Eve’ are slightly larger and stronger than those of ‘Albion’ and generally are greater in number. The primary flowers of ‘Sweet Eve’are generally larger than those of ‘Albion.’ Petal numbers of ‘Sweet Eve’ are similar to ‘Albion’, however, the petals of ‘Sweet Eve’ have an entire margin and the obtuse base and apex and are slightly overlapping. Additionally, ‘Sweet Eve’ exhibits broader and shorter petals than ‘Albion.’ The calyx of ‘Sweet Eve’ is similar to that of ‘Albion’, however, the calyxes of the primary fruit for ‘Sweet Eve’ are very simple having one (1) or two (2) indentations. The calyxes on the secondary and tertiary fruit of ‘Sweet Eve’, however, are completely without any serrations. The calyxes of ‘Sweet Eve’ are typically recurving causing expression of a white band at the top of the berry.

The berries of ‘Sweet Eve’ are medium to large in size with a shape that is predominantly long and conical with rounded shoulders. When grown in the United Kingdom, the fruit of ‘Sweet Eve’ has a superior shape than that of ‘Albion’ and is less prone to the ridging exhibited by ‘Albion’.

‘Sweet Eve’ berries are glossier and paler than those of ‘Albion.’ Specifically, the external and internal fruit color of ‘Sweet Eve’ is brighter and is substantially lighter than of ‘Albion’. During the summer season, the fruit of ‘Sweet Eve’ retains its bright orange-red color and appears to be unaffected by the higher seasonal temperatures. ‘Albion’ fruit, however, has a darker skin coloration that typically becomes darker when exposed to higher temperatures. In cooler temperatures, ‘Sweet Eve’ berries retain their bright orange-red color; however, ‘Albion’ berry color becomes increasingly darker as the plant transitions from youth to maturity.

The achenes of ‘Sweet Eve’ berries are characterized as being generally even to slightly indented into the surface of the fruit, however, this indentation is far less dramatic when compared to the achenes of ‘Albion.’ ‘Sweet Eve’ berries generally contain fewer achenes than those of ‘Albion.’

‘Sweet Eve’, significantly sweeter and juicier than ‘Albion’ throughout the cropping season, provides a very pleasant combination of flavor, sugar, and very low acid levels. The berry skin of ‘Sweet Eve’ is significantly firmer than that of ‘Albion’ and does not bruise as readily during rubbing as the latter. ‘Sweet Eve’ fruit is more aromatic than that of ‘Albion’ and possesses a very pleasant scent. The fruit flesh of ‘Sweet Eve is less firm than that of ‘Albion’ providing for a less crunchy texture and a more pleasant eating experience. ‘Sweet Eve’ retains a very good fruit quality throughout the cropping season and is stable in its essential characteristics, i.e. fruit size, shape, quality, color, firmness, Brix levels, and good plant habit.

Flower initiation and flower expression of ‘Sweet Eve’ are generally linear; however, variation in the climate might cause slight fluctuation. Termination of flowering is temperature dependent and day-length independent.

Commercial ratings for ‘Sweet Eve’ are also superior to those of ‘Albion’ insomuch as the fruits of ‘Sweet Eve’ have a significantly improved shelf-life, a superior firmness, an outstanding flavor, and a higher level of sugar.

When grown in the United Kingdom under appropriate management, the cropping season for ‘Sweet Eve’ starts in June, significantly earlier than that of ‘Albion’, and continues through September. Subject to these growth conditions, ‘Sweet Eve’ has a more uniform fruit shape and size and produces a substantially greater total yield per plant throughout the cropping season than ‘Albion.’ 

1. A new and distinct cultivar of strawberry plant named ‘Sweet Eve’ substantially as herein described and illustrated by the characteristics set forth above. 